How to Fix WhatsApp Camera Zooming In by Itself: 6 Easy Solutions

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As one of the most widely used communication platforms, WhatsApp has become an essential part of daily life. However, when the app suddenly runs into issues, it can disrupt many everyday activities.

Even something as simple as the WhatsApp camera zooming in by itself can be quite annoying. Users may find it difficult to share photos or make video calls comfortably when this happens.

Fortunately, the problem is usually easy to fix. Here are several methods you can try to resolve the issue.

1. Update the App

Steps:

• Open the WhatsApp page on Google Play Store or Apple App Store, depending on your device.
• Tap Update.
• Wait until the app is fully updated.
• Reopen WhatsApp and check the camera function after the update.

Based on research conducted by the Gadgetren team, the issue of the WhatsApp camera zooming in automatically often stems from a bug within the app. This can usually be confirmed when many users experience the same problem.

Updating the app should be your first step. Besides bringing new features and performance improvements, updates typically include bug fixes.

If you don’t see the Update button and only the Open option appears, it likely means you’re already using the latest version of WhatsApp.

2. Clear App Cache or Data

Steps:

• Go to Settings.
• Open Apps.
• Access the app management menu.
• Find and select WhatsApp.
• Tap Storage.
• Choose Clear Cache or Clear Data, depending on your needs.
• Confirm your choice.

Aside from bugs, the zooming issue can also be caused by accumulated cache or app data. Clearing them can be another effective solution if updating didn’t work.

Clearing cache is the safest option, as it doesn’t delete your personal data. It only removes temporary files, which might make the app take a bit longer to open the next time.

On the other hand, clearing app data should be done with caution, as it will delete all user settings and WhatsApp data. Before doing this, make sure to back up your WhatsApp chats and files so you can restore them later.

3. Restart Your Phone

Steps:

• Press and hold the Power button.
• When the power menu appears, select Restart.
• Confirm when prompted.
• Wait for your phone to turn back on.

Sometimes, the camera zooming issue can occur due to technical glitches on your device — such as too many background processes, simultaneous use of camera sensors, or minor system errors.

Restarting your phone often helps. This action closes unnecessary background tasks and refreshes the system.

On some devices, you may need to press and hold the Power (or Side) button together with the Volume Up or Volume Down button to access the restart menu, depending on your phone model.

4. Reinstall the App

Steps:

• Locate WhatsApp on your app list.
• Press and hold the icon.
• Select Uninstall or Remove App.
• Confirm your choice.
• Go to the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
• Tap Install or Get to reinstall WhatsApp.

If the issue persists, reinstalling the app can help. Doing so ensures that your device gets a fresh installation file, which can eliminate potential file corruption that may have caused the problem.

This step is worth trying when all previous methods have failed.

5. Use the Stable App Version

Steps:

• Open the WhatsApp page on Google Play Store.
• Look for the section labeled You’re a beta tester.
• Tap Leave.
• Confirm your choice.
• Uninstall the beta version of WhatsApp.
• Reinstall the stable version of the app.

If you’re part of the WhatsApp Beta Program, switching back to the public version might solve the issue. Beta versions often contain experimental features and may include bugs that can cause problems such as the camera zooming by itself.

By reverting to the stable version, you can usually eliminate these glitches.

6. Use Your Phone’s Default Camera or Another App

If none of the above methods work, the issue may be due to a persistent bug that hasn’t been fixed yet. In this case, you might need to wait for a future app update from WhatsApp’s developers.

While waiting, you can temporarily use your phone’s default camera app to take photos or videos. After capturing them, simply share the files through WhatsApp using the share option.

For video calls, you can switch to alternative apps such as Zoom or Google Meet, which also offer convenient and reliable communication features.